Lead clamp



March 31, 1931. F. B, SHEPARD 1,798,815

March 31, 1931. F, B SHE-PARE) 1,798,815

LEAD CLAMP Filed Feb.. 11, 192s 2 sheets-sheet 2 7 xr 47: /6 j f 9 /4,Z6 /a Z5 'Y zz zd Z7 v Z5 Z/ E B ske/0a ra? Patented Mar. 3l, 1931UNITED STATES PATENT ori-lcs Im BURTON SHEPARD, 0l' TEXON, TEXAS Thisinvention relates to lead clamps and more particularly to clamps for usein hot line Work.

An important object of the invention is to produce a device of thischaracter which may be readily applied to a line without the necessityof cutting oil current therein and withcut danger to the workman.

A further object of the invention is to produce a clamp which may bevery readily and cheaply constructed and which, at the same time, willprovide an efficient and permanent connection between the line and thelead therefrom.

A further `cbjfectof the invention is to provide a clamp which may bereadily manipulated with the het sticks usually employed in high tensionwork.

i still further object is to providea device which `will provide anelectrical bond between aluminum and copper wires which will bepermanent in its nature.

rl`hese and other objects I attain by the construction shown in theaccompanying I drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration isshown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure 1 is aside elevation showing a lead clamp constructed in accordance with myinvention and illustrating the method of applying the clamp to a linewire;

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of ligure 1;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2; I

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view through a modified type ofclamp;

Figure 6 is a side elevation thereof.

Referring now more articularly to the drawings, the clamp is ormed intwo sections, one of which designated at 1 0 may termed the body of theclamp. This body 1s formed at one end thereof with a hooked terminalportion 11, the face of the body adjacent the hook being provided with atransverse groove 12. At a point spaced from the groove 12longitudinally of the body, a second transverse groove, the bottom ofwhich is arcuately curved, is provided, as indicated 50 at 13. Throughthe body intermediate these grooves an opening 14 is formed for thepassage of a bolt, generally designated at 15. The second section of theclamp, which might be termed the Vjaw 16, has formed therein at one endthereof a transversely extending groove 17 having an arcuately curvedbottom. At its opposite end, the jaw is formed at the same face with anoutstanding flange 18, the end face of which is convexly curvedv to fita einst the concave bottom of the groove 13. Tlie bolt 1.5 abovereferred to has a head 19, the inner face of which is arcuately curved,as 'indicated at 20.

Beneath the head, a squared portion 21 is formed upon the shank of thebolt. The remainder of the shank is circular in cross section and isprovided with a relatively long threaded portion 22. The outer face ofthe head is formed with an eye 23. The outer face of the jaw 16 hasformed therein a concave socket for the reception of the inner face ofthe bolt, as indicated at 24, and through the bod is formed arectangular opening 25 for t e passage of the squared portion 2l ef theshank. It will be obvious that this avv must remain in a position fixedby the In assembling the clamp, the bolt is passed through the sectionsthereof and the nut applied against the outer face of the body 10, thenut being left suciently .loose,so that I the space betweenthe body andjaw is suicient to admit the line wire. A hot stick is emplo ed havingin its end a prong 26 to extend t rough the opening of the eye 23 andfrom this stick, the clamp is supported. A

second hot stick is provided having rotatably mounted upon the upper endthereof one end of a wrench 27, the opposite end of which D0 has asocket for the reception of vthe nut. After the wire line hasv beenengaged, the second hot stick is operated as a connecting rod to causerotation of the wrench 27, thereby tightening thejaw 16 upon the linewire. At this time, the jaw moves about the vend of the flange 13 as apivot, such movement being permitted by providing suiiicient s ace inthe opening 25 to permit oscillation ofD clamp with relation thereto.The rounded inner face of the head coacting with the curved seat 24maintains a firm contact between the bolt and jaw in all positionsthereof.

In orderto provide for attachment of the lead 28 t0 the body 10, thisbody is elongated and is provided with a cast-in metallic insert 29. Asis well known to those familiar with the art, the line wires nowcommonly employed are usually of aluminum or aluminum composition andcopper connections cannot.

be permanently made therewith by bolting. I, therefore, cast-in theinsert 29, as above described, and make this insert of copper, so thatthe copper lead terminal 30 may be held thereagainst by a bolt 31, whichpreferably passes entirely through the body, the insert and theterminal. In some instances, it is necessary to connect parallel wiresof different materials such as aluminum and copper. Under thesecircumstances, I emploly a clamp such as shown in Fi ure 5. This c ampconsists of two similar ody sections 33 and 34, each having parallellongitudinally extending grooves 35 and 36. The bottoms of these groovesare concavely curved and in each instance, the wall of the groove 36is`faced with a copper insert 37 cast integrally with the body. Boltssimilar to the olt 15 are employed for clamping these sections together.upon the wires to be connected.

It will be obvious that by employing a con- Y struction of thischaracter, not only is a convenient means provided for makinglconnections to hot lines but likewise a means is provided, whereby/fanaluminum copper connection may be made with the assurance of a permanentjoint. Y

Since the construction hereinbefore setl forth is capable of a certainrange of change 'and modification without materially departing from thespirit of the invention, I do not limit myself to such specificstructure except as hereinafter claimed.

A lead clamp comprising a bod having a transverse oove, a jaw having aange abutting the bog;7 in spaced relation to the groove, said jawhaving a groove opposing the groove of the body, and a securing elementpassing.

through the jaw and body at a point intern mediate the groove and flangeof the jaw, said securing element having a head formed with an eye forthe passage ofthe pin of a handle, the inner surface of the head beingthe spondingly shaped opening in the jaw, said squared ortion beingadapted to prevent rotation o ber. A

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aix my signature.

FRANK BURTON SHEPARD.

said jawabout said securing mem-

